Halal or Haram

I personally have always subscribed to the principle that the term “halal” and “haram” should be left alone within their Islamic definitions for fear of abuse and adulteration. Not that the abuse and misuse aren’t already widespread.

Here is an example. A local news cum tabloid daily apparently has its own idea of what is “halal” and what is “haram.”

The Man: The Police said that “Black 14” still has no permit.
The Lady: No permit means haram…

It should be translated as “No permit means illegal,” but then it shouldn’t have used the word “haram” in the first place. “Tidak sah di sisi undang-undang” would be more accurate, but, of course, it would not say what the writer really wants to say.